By Hardcore Critic
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Crews have returned to hip hop with the Coke Boys, A$AP Mob, TDE, Pro Era, and also the Flatbush Zombies, along with many others. Each crew is automatically compared to the Wu-Tang Clan. At the height of their career, the Wu-Tang Clan took over the streets and Ol’ Dirty Bastard became one of the most-popular members of the crew.
Nine years ago, Ol’ Dirty Bastard passed away, but his music has lived on. Though he was introduced on Wu-Tang’s 36 Chambers, Ol’ Dirty Bastard properly introduced himself on his debut album. Picking up where the Wu-Tang Clan left off, Ol’ Dirty Bastard released his debut, Return to the 36 Chambers.
Fans could easily tell this album was going to be a classic from the food stamp album cover. Ol’ Dirty Bastard released his debut album, authentic hip hop in its purest, exactly eighteen years ago. In the two decades since then, Return to the 36 Chambers has been widely regarded as a hip hop classic.
Wu-Tang Clan is a family within itself and the family showed up on Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s debut. RZA, Killah Priest, GZA, Masta Killa, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, and the rest of the clan appear on the album. Years later, Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s debut lives on with the single, “Shimmy Shimmy Ya,” being referenced on A$AP Rocky’s current hit, “Fuckin’ Problem,” with 2 Chainz, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar. Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s solo debut would be followed by Raekwon’s 1995 classic, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.
Watch music videos from Return to 36 Chambers singles below:
Watch “Brooklyn Zoo” by Ol’ Dirty Bastard below:
Watch “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” by Ol’ Dirty Bastard below:
